Pak, China to strengthen strategic, defence ties…(Yep…WWIII…)

Beijing—Pakistan and China have vowed to strengthen their comprehensive and all-dimensional relationship, especially in the defense sector. Conveying their strong solidarity with Pakistan, Chinese civilian and military leaders have told the visiting Chief of Army Staff, General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, that China will always stand by its close and trusted strategic partner – Pakistan. China has started its calendar of high level visits in 2012 with the visit of General Kayani. Chinese media has especially highlighted the importance of the visit in the backdrop of recent regional and international developments. General Kayani had three separate meetings with State Councilor Dai Bingguo; General Chen Bingde, PLA Chief of General Staff, and Mr. Chen Qiufa, Administrator, State Administration for Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense (SASTIND) in Beijing on Friday. General Chen Bingde told General Kayani that Pakistan-China friendship is “as strong as steel.” It is a relationship conducive to peace and stability in the region, he said. General Chen said that the armed forces, governments and people of the two countries are proud of this all-weather relationship. Endorsing this assessment, General Kayani said that the time-tested strategic relations between Pakistan and China have the support of the people of two countries. Both Pakistan and China have gone through different phases in their history but their friendship and strong bonds have been a constant factor.

General Kayani said that the relationship between the two armed forces is solid which has been strengthened by frequent high-level visits, joint exercises and enhanced technological cooperation. General Kayani said that the joint exercises between the armed forces of the two countries have demonstrated a high degree of professional compatibility and interoperability. General Chen said China will give unwavering support to Pakistan. “Chinese Government and PLA attach highest importance to General Kayani’s visit and Sino-Pak military to military cooperation,” he said adding that the friendship between the two countries “will grow even stronger in future.” General Chen thanked Pakistan for giving unstinting support to China on the issues of Taiwan, Tibet, and Xinjiang. General Kayani said that Pakistan will continue to provide firm support to China on all issues concerning its core interests and will work closely with the Chinese side to take Pak-China strategic partnership to new heights. Echoing these sentiments, General Chen said that China would like to strength military ties with Pakistan and take the existing cooperation to “a new, higher level.”